Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-31
FORCED TO RETREAT.
The Indians of San Carlos Reservation
Shamefully Abused by the Whites.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 80

WASHINGTON. Oct. 80
Some weeks ago the military authorities
of Arizona reported 10 the war department
that the sheriff of Pinal county held warrants
the legality of which was questioned, for the
arrest Of Eskimizin and q other Indians liv-
ing on San Pedro river in that territory. upon
the charge of grand larceny and resisting ar
rest. and had called upon Capt. Pierce, COM
manding officer at San Carlos agency, and
who is also acting Indian agent, to aid in the
arrests.
Gen. Miles, in reporting the matter TO Gen.
Howard, expressed his opinion that the at
tempted arrest of these Indians by local civil
officers, would prove serious matter if not
involve the territory in an Indian war. The
history of the affair is now made public in a
report just received at the Indian office from
1t. J. W. Watson of the 10th cavalry, trans
mitted by Capt. Pierce.
1t appears that the Indians have long been
victims of bitter persecution by the whites.
II is learned that Eskimizin was until the
last few years head chief of the Aroyoipa
and Pinal Apachees, for whose occupation
the San Carlos reservatian was established.
He was a powerful chief and chad great in
tluence with the tribe of which since then
the notorious Geronimo was a member
Nine years ago Eskimizin and a number
of his followers of their own accord, desir-
ing to live at peace with the whites, aban-
doned their tribal relations, took land in the
San Pedro valley under the Indian homestead
law, and built comfortable houses and barns,
irrigated and fenced the lands and by their
own unaided industry accumulated consider.
able property. This was entirly new de-
parture in the history of the hitherto fierce
Apachees.
The Intererior department did everything
to assist and protect them, also had
officers with the army stationed in the vicin-
ity Before long the white settlers began to
encroaeh upon their lands. They made un-
successful attemps TO dispossess them
The Indians have been constant
victims of maltreatment, trickery
threats, violence, and impositions in number
less ways. Many have been arrested and
taken before district justices of the peace
upon trumped up charges, for the sole pur'
pose of ultimately driving them from goo4
home that whites may take possession.
These prosecutions have never caused The
/ Iudians to retaliate, but the whites have ac-
compished their purpose in driving Esklm
| izins little band from San Pedro back to the
old reservation. Eskimizin says he does not
wish to struggle longer but come back, hop
/ ing for home protection from the whites OF
the reservation He and his people had left
everything.
The old chief left a good home thirty-ivt
cattle, farming implements, two hundred
and seventy sacks of corn, a quantity OF
wheat and barley, a good wagon, harness ant
household furniture. Everything wa
/ abandoned to the whites. The last act OF
hostility on the part of the whites was The
arrest of six Indians under false charges ant
attempted to arrest twenty-eight others re
/ ferred to above.
/ The sheriff of Pinal County made demanC
upon Capt. Pierce for the surrender of th'
accused, which has not been complied with
! The Indian officials pronounce the affair {
shameful outrage upon peaceful, law-abidlnt
/ Indians and will take such steps as are neces
sary to restore to the Indians their abandoned
property.